The Louisville Fire Department is urging people to leave fireworks to the professionals -- and not just on the Fourth of July but year-round.Gabriel Rock, 15, thought he was picking up a smoke bomb last year when he was hurt.He endured six surgeries and is recovering.But he said he now knows how dangerous fireworks can be.“And I lit it and it didn't even smoke. It just blew up right in my hand,” Gabriel said. That was last September when Gabriel and some friends were playing in his back yard with what he thought was a smoke bomb.“I looked down. I saw my hand and I was like ‘oh no,’” Gabriel said.It was actually a mortar firework that severely damaged his left hand. He lost several fingers as a result.A toe had to be taken from one of his feet to replace his thumb.Gabriel's accident didn't happen over the Fourth of July weekend, but many people across the country suffer similar injuries while celebrating Independence Day.The majority of those injuries are to people’s hands and face.The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that in 2015 there were nearly 12,000 emergency room visits for fireworks-related injuries. Eleven of those injuries were fatal.The group said those are the highest numbers in 15 years.“I still get around pretty good. My friends have been really supportive and so has my family and everyone,” Gabriel said.Gabriel knows he's one of the lucky ones. He's regaining movement in his hand and hopes that with more physical therapy, his movement will improve.He also warned those who believe fireworks can't hurt you, to think again.“Yeah, never set off anything like that in your hand because you never know. Like I didn't think this would happen,” Gabriel said.Officials said children are often victims of fireworks-related injuries.Sparklers can reach temperatures that are upward of 2,000 degrees.

SPENCER COUNTY, Ky. —

The Louisville Fire Department is urging people to leave fireworks to the professionals -- and not just on the Fourth of July but year-round.

Gabriel Rock, 15, thought he was picking up a smoke bomb last year when he was hurt.

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He endured six surgeries and is recovering.

But he said he now knows how dangerous fireworks can be.

“And I lit it and it didn't even smoke. It just blew up right in my hand,” Gabriel said.

That was last September when Gabriel and some friends were playing in his back yard with what he thought was a smoke bomb.

“I looked down. I saw my hand and I was like ‘oh no,’” Gabriel said.

It was actually a mortar firework that severely damaged his left hand. He lost several fingers as a result.

A toe had to be taken from one of his feet to replace his thumb.

Gabriel's accident didn't happen over the Fourth of July weekend, but many people across the country suffer similar injuries while celebrating Independence Day.

The majority of those injuries are to people’s hands and face.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that in 2015 there were nearly 12,000 emergency room visits for fireworks-related injuries. Eleven of those injuries were fatal.

The group said those are the highest numbers in 15 years.

“I still get around pretty good. My friends have been really supportive and so has my family and everyone,” Gabriel said.

Gabriel knows he's one of the lucky ones. He's regaining movement in his hand and hopes that with more physical therapy, his movement will improve.

He also warned those who believe fireworks can't hurt you, to think again.

“Yeah, never set off anything like that in your hand because you never know. Like I didn't think this would happen,” Gabriel said.

Officials said children are often victims of fireworks-related injuries.